The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has issued its latest influenza bulletin. Highlights about the H1N1 flu virus for the surveillance period of July 19 to July 25, include:
– Overall, influenza activity in Ontario was lower than the previous week. Fewer patients were reporting influenza-like symptoms consulted physicians that week than the previous week.
– The rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) in patients seen by the sentinel physicians is above what is expected for this time of year, particularly for those less than 19 years of age.
– The majority of health units continue to report sporadic activity. Four health units have reported localized activity.
– There are 3,938 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus in Ontario reported through the integrated Public Health System as of July 25.
As of July 29:
– 19 deaths were reported among confirmed H1N1 cases.
– 49 people who have the H1N1 flu virus were in hospital as of 8:30am on July 29, a number of whom have underlying medical conditions. There were 277 other people who had been hospitalized and have since been discharged.
– Fewer hospitalized cases and fewer deaths were reported this week in comparison with the previous week. That continues a downward trend in the number of hospitalizations and deaths.
